Pavan Acharya

I am a journalist interested in telling the stories that impact my readers the most.

My Recent Work

Block Club Chicago •

Amtrak To Boost Midwest Rail Service. A Union Station Makeover Is Next

DOWNTOWN — Starting next year, Chicago’s Union Station will begin more than $400 million in renovations as part of an Amtrak-led initiative to bolster ridership and rail services in the Midwest.The Chicago Hub Improvement Program, also known as CHIP, was announced in August 2023. The program will see upgrades to rail infrastructure in and around the city and renovations to Union Station, like the ones starting construction next year.CHIP also aims to boost railroad efficiency in the Midwest and...
Block Club Chicago •

Get Free Food For Your Furry Friends At Lincoln Square Pet Pantry Saturday

LINCOLN SQUARE — Those looking for free and nutritious food for their pets can find it this weekend at the The Friendship Center, a Lincoln Square-based nonprofit and food pantry.The center will host its monthly Friendship Pet Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. Saturday at 2711 W. Lawrence Ave. The pantry provides food for cats and dogs in addition to other items, including leashes, treats and kitty litter. It helps support pet owners who need a boost feeding their four-legged family membersAll materials are...
Block Club Chicago •

Will Kennedy Express Lanes Reopen Soon? State Won't Say As Deadline Looms

CHICAGO — The Kennedy Expressway’s reversible express lanes may not be open for the holiday travel season as the project appears poised to extend beyond its original timeline. Crews began overhauling the Kennedy’s express lanes in March as part of a massive, multi-year rebuild of the highway. The reversible lanes were to be reopened “later this fall,” according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.But with winter fast approaching, no reopening date has been set and no announcement made b...
Block Club Chicago •

Where To Recycle Your Broken Holiday Lights in Chicago

CHICAGO — Broken twinkle lights? No sweat.For the fourth straight season, the nonprofit Reduce Waste Chicago is hosting drop-off sites throughout the city where you can leave your broken holiday lights to be recycled, reused or repurposed.“If they’re not recycled, they’re then thrown in the garbage and then go to a landfill,” said founder Sherry Skalko. “Everybody is interested in fighting climate change through reducing waste. A key part of our mission is … just to make it easier for people to...
Block Club Chicago •

Your Guide To Chicago's Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks

CHICAGO — It’s time to dust off those skates. With winter settling in, ice skating season in Chicago is back. The city’s most popular ice skating rinks are open now (or will be opening soon) and many will be open through the winter.Here are the public outdoor ice skating rinks worth checking out this winter. McKinley Park’s skating rink is currently closed, while the Chicago Park District’s other rinks are open. Did we miss a rink in your neighborhood? Email us and we’ll add it. The rink is open...
Block Club Chicago •

A Holiday Market For Dogs? Ravenswood's 'Wag N' Shop' Market Kicks Off Sunday

RAVENSWOOD — Are you on the lookout for a massage parlor — for your dog? Or maybe you need fun treats for your favorite pooch this holiday season?If so, you’ll probably find what you’re looking for at the dog-friendly Howliday Wag N’ Shop market and fundraiser on Sunday.The market, hosted by Bosly’s Backyard, 4011 N. Ravenswood Ave., will spotlight more than 20 dog-focused vendors from the Chicago area selling everything from organic dog treats to crocheted pet wearables. Pet Massage Plus, Anoth...
Block Club Chicago •

Christmas Tree Lots In Chicago: Here's Where To Find A Real Tree Near You

CHICAGO — Looking for a Christmas tree? You may not have to go too far.Block Club has compiled a list of places across Chicago stocked with holiday foliage, from live trees to homemade wreaths.Is something missing from our list? Email newsroom@blockclubchi.org and we’ll add it.Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:

CHICAGO — Looking for a Christmas tree? You may not have to go too far.

Block Club has compiled a list of places across Chicago stocked with holiday foliage, from live trees to h...
Block Club Chicago •

Near West Side's Last Migrant Shelter Closes

NEAR WEST SIDE — A temporary migrant shelter in the Near West Side closed over the weekend, the latest shelter to close as the city winds down its migrant services operation. The shelter at 1640 W. Walnut St. opened in September 2023 but was no longer housing migrant families by last weekend, the city announced Monday. Located a few blocks northeast of the United Center, the shelter originally hosted 100 people but grew to house just under 900 people by December 2023. The Walnut Street shelter’s...
Block Club Chicago •

244 Vehicles Towed On 2nd Night Of Overnight Winter Parking Ban, City Says

CHICAGO — The second night of the city’s overnight winter parking ban was not as kind to scofflaw car owners as the first.Chicago’s winter parking ban went into effect early Sunday, restricting parking on major thoroughfares during overnight hours. But because the ban went into effect on a holiday weekend, city crews issued warnings Sunday instead of towing cars to city lots. Car owners weren’t so lucky early Monday, however. The city towed 244 cars overnight Monday, according to the Department...
Block Club Chicago •

Heated Patios And Rooftops In Chicago: 30 Places To Eat, Drink And Play All Winter Long

CHICAGO — With the winter chill settling in, now is the time for Chicagoans to bundle up and enjoy some of the coziest heated bar patios and rooftops in the city.There are plenty of places to grab libations and food while keeping warm and toasty, whether you’re in the mood for Midwestern classics, Latin street food, cocktails in the sky, beer by the fire, curling or just good old comfort food.Block Club rounded up more than heated 30 bars and patios in the city. Have one you think we should add?...
Block Club Chicago •

Silver Room Design Lab Opens Mag Mile Store Featuring Chicago Artists

GOLD COAST — More than a year after its signature block party ended, the arts group The Silver Room is opening new doors.The organization hosted a grand opening Thursday evening for its Silver Room Design Lab on the third floor at 900 N. Michigan Ave. Though it’s referred to as a lab, the new concept store is a “retail and community space,” according to a news release.In addition to featuring art and clothing from Chicago artists, the space will also host performances and events, the release sai...
Block Club Chicago •

Boka Restaurant Group Opening Pizza Spot In River North

RIVER NORTH — An acclaimed restaurant group is getting into the pizza business.Zarella Pizzeria & Taverna will open early next year at 531 N. Wells St. It is the latest venture from Boka Restaurant Group, which is behind celebrated eateries like Girl & The Goat, Cabra and Boka.Zarella will bring more pizza options to Downtown, said Boka Restaurant Group in a press release. One of Zarella’s pizzas includes carbonara sauce with pancetta, pecorino and egg, while another combines spicy vodka sauce w...
Block Club Chicago •

Abuelita Hot Chocolate Run Aims To Bolster Community Ties In Hermosa, Belmont Cragin

BELMONT CRAGIN — For many, Nestle’s Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate is a beloved brand, representing home and the warmth of family.Early next month, the phrase “Abuelita Hot Chocolate” will also have another local meaning, as the name of a new community run that organizers say will be the first in the neighborhood in recent memory.The 2K/5K race will take place Dec. 7 at Riis Park, 6100 W. Fullerton Ave. Organizers expect a turnout of about 200 people, and registration is already halfway sold out...
Block Club Chicago •

Chicago Artisan Market Kicks Off Just In Time For The Holidays

FULTON MARKET — One of the city’s most popular small business markets is ramping up its slate of events ahead of the holidays. Chicago Artisan Market is hosting a series of markets and special events this month and next, providing an outlet for local artisans and small business owners to sell their work to those looking for gifts this holiday season.Chicago Artisan Market’s pre-Thanksgiving market takes place 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Morgan MFG, 401 N. Morgan St. in Fulton Market. A holiday mark...
Block Club Chicago •

Hot Tub Boats Are Returning To The Chicago River This Winter

CHICAGO — After a wildly popular debut season, hot tub boats are making a comeback on the Chicago River.Operated by the Chicago Electric Boat Company, each boat is outfitted with a hot tub that fits up to six passengers. Reservations for the boats are open now, with Wednesday marking the start of the 2024-25 winter season. You can reserve a hot tub boat on the Chicago Electric Boat Company website. A 90-minute cruise in the tub costs $350 on weekdays and $425 on the weekends. Holiday pricing may...
Block Club Chicago •

Students With Disabilities Can Apply For $500 Cash Grants By Friday

CHICAGO — Friday is the last day for families with students who have disabilities to apply for a one-time cash grant of $500 per student.These grants come from a partnership between the Mayor’s Office and Ada S. McKinley Community Services called the Diverse Learners Recovery Fund, according to a Mayor’s Office news release. The program will support students with disabilities, who were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Families can use the grant money for any purpose.The gran...
Block Club Chicago •

Snowbirds Rejoice: Amtrak Launches Service From Chicago To Miami

CHICAGO — Looking to escape the Chicago winter? Amtrak is now offering train service from Chicago Union Station all the way to Miami — with a few stops along the way.The Floridian line also makes stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Raleigh, Jacksonville and Orlando over the course of a 47-hour trip.The new route merges two existing lines: the Capitol Limited that takes riders from Chicago to Washington, D.C., and the Silver Star, which travels between New York and Miami.The new lin...
Block Club Chicago •

Goodwill In Avondale To Open This Month

AVONDALE — A Goodwill store and donation center in Avondale is finally set to open more than two years after it was announced.The store — the nonprofit’s latest Chicago venture — will host its grand opening Nov. 22 at 3550 N. Spaulding Ave., the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce announced on Facebook.“Purchases and donations support local Goodwill programs and services that help people build skills, find a job and connect to community resources like housing, food and transportation,” the chamber...
Block Club Chicago •

City's Shelter Hosting Adoption Event Sunday After Taking In 250 Animals In 1 Week

LITTLE VILLAGE — Chicago Animal Care and Control is hosting an adoption event Sunday to help find homes for the more than 250 cats and dogs it’s taken in since Nov. 1.Animal Control is hosting the How We Find Forever Homes adoption event noon-6 p.m. Sunday at its headquarters, 2741 S. Western Ave. At the event, all fees will be waived for people looking to adopt animals that have been with the shelter for more than 30 days, also known as long-stay pets.People looking to adopt other animals will...
Block Club Chicago •

Election Day 2024 In Chicago LIVE UPDATES: Harris Wins Illinois, Burke Wins State’s Attorney Race

CHICAGO — A wet and windy Election Day didn’t keep Chicagoans from the polls Tuesday, as more than 63 percent of the city’s registered voters cast a ballot. As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, 948,643 ballots had been cast by Chicagoans, according to preliminary data from Chicago Board of Elections spokesperson Max Bever. This includes ballots cast early and by mail. Though vote totals are not yet official, Bever said turnout was on pace to be stronger than recent “sleepy” elections — just 38 percent of Ch...
Block Club Chicago •

Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon Kicks Off 10th Season This Month

THE LOOP — Looking to get your skate on? If the answer’s yes, then you can now reserve times to skate at the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon this winter.The rink at 337 E. Randolph St. is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season and will be open Nov. 15 through March 9, according to a Monday Chicago Park District news release.“For the past decade, the ribbon has become a winter tradition for local families and tourists alike, providing active recreation and stunning views of the city sk...
Block Club Chicago •

Black Harvest Film Festival To Celebrate 30th Year Of Showcasing Black Cinema

LOOP — Growing up on the South Side during the 2000s, Jada-Amina Harvey would frequently attend the Black Harvest Film Festival with her mother.The festival allowed Harvey to see “another part of the city that is not always represented,” she said.“Returning each year was always really inspiring,” she said. “It certainly gave breadth to what could be for myself as a Black person living in Chicago, seeing the incredible talent being showcased.”Flash forward about two decades and Harvey has come “f...
Block Club Chicago •

Some Chicagoans Face Long Lines, Nearly 3-Hour Waits At Early Voting Sites

LAKEVIEW — North Side neighbors hoping to skip Election Day lines by voting early have faced long waits instead, with some saying they’ve waited up to three hours before finally casting their ballot.At Lakeview’s Merlo Library, 644 W. Belmont Ave., there were lines this week that stretched over a block and moved at a snail’s pace, voters said.“I arrived at 5 p.m. and wasn’t done until 7:30,” Lakeview resident Cassie Branderhorst said Wednesday. “I’ve voted early here in the past and was in and o...
Block Club Chicago •

O'Hare Awarded $20 Million From Federal Government For Terminal 5 Overhaul

O’HARE — O’Hare Airport’s efforts to modernize are getting a boost from the federal government.The international airport has been awarded $20 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Aviation announced Tuesday.The new funds will be used to improve O’Hare’s Terminal 5. The airport has now received a total of $110 million from the federal legislation since it was signed into law in 2021.Terminal 5 includes the highest number of airline...
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